The Carthage City Council held its monthly meeting on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at 6:00 p.m.
The meeting was held at the Smith County Chamber of Commerce in order to practice social distancing.
During the meeting, the county passed with a 5-1 vote the second reading of a new ordinance binding each council meeting agenda to the publicly posted agenda unless an emergency arises.
The county property assessor’s bill to the city for their services in appraising city parcels was also discussed for the second consecutive meeting. Rules were voted to be suspended to allow Smith County Attorney Jeremy Hassler to speak and answer questions regarding the bill. The council voted to pay the current bill, but the council wanted the city to have further discussions about future billing with the assessor’s office.
A new hotel occupancy tax ordinance was introduced. The town has the authority granted to it by its charter to levy a 5% hotel occupancy tax; however, the town has not passed an ordinance to do so. After discussion, the council voted 3-3 to pass the first reading of the ordinance. Mayor Smith voted to break the vote, and the measure passed. Since this ordinance is related to a tax, a public hearing will be required.
A discussion on speed limits on Carmack Ave transformed into a debate about speed limits across the city. The council voted to invite the public for input at the next regularly scheduled meeting on the possibility of lowering speed limits on Carmack and other streets.
You can find a copy of this meeting’s agenda here that includes all items discussed and can watch the full meeting below.
Thanks to Smith County Animal Clinic for sponsoring Smith County Insider’s live broadcast of this meeting.
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The Carthage City Council meets at 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Carthage City Hall, located at 314 Spring Street in Carthage, Tennessee – 37030.
All meetings are open to the public and streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/smithcountyinsider/.
